Alabama defensive end takes USC up on offer

Monday

Jun 16, 2014 at 7:25 PM

Phil Kornblut

DE Quandeski Whitlow (6-4 228) of Opelika, AL attended USC's camp last weekend arriving without an offer. But he must have made a positive impression on recruiter and linebackers coach Kirk Botkin because he offered after the camp.

And on Monday he accepted that offer by announcing a commitment to the Gamecocks.

"He (Botkin) wanted me to come up in order for him to officially offer me a scholarship," Whitlow said. "He doesn't want to offer a guy a scholarship that he hasn't coached. After camp he offered me a scholarship."

Whitlow, the cousin of former Kentucky quarterback Jalen Whitlow, picked the Gamecocks over Kentucky and Miami. He also considered Mississippi State.

"It's just the feeling that I felt when I was at South Carolina," he explained. "It felt like the place for me to be. It felt like home. It felt great. It's an SEC school, a school that wins at least 10 games a season. I love the campus. They're building new facilities and dorms. It's great for education. You can't beat that."

Whitlow said Botkin indicated to him that he'll have a chance for early playing time and he feels he can contribute right away.

"I'm balanced on the field," Whitlow said. "I can play the run or pass rush. I can stand up and play linebacker."

Whitlow is USC's 17th commitment for the 2015 class and the fourth defensive end.

Catch Phil Kornblut every night on SportsTalk and get more of his statewide recruiting news at SportsTalkSC.com and on Twitter @SportsTalkSC.

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